Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #128971 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10-26
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 140 pages

Synopsis
This award-winning classic on the art and craft of writing science fiction and fantasy provides invaluable advice for every science fiction and fantasy writer interested in constructing stories about people, worlds and events that stretch the boundaries of the possible - and the magical. They'll learn:. What is and isn't science fiction and fantasy, and where their story fits in the mix. How to build, populate, and dramatize a credible, inviting world readers will want to explore. Where the markets are, how to reach them and get published There's no better source of information for writers working in these genres.

Customer Reviews

Good but not fantasy
Overall this is a good book. I bought it hopig to pick up a few tips and was pleased to do so. Orson Scott Card has obviously worked hard to make this readable and helpful.

The reason for losing two stars..

First fantasy isn't covered too well. It is mentioned, but only really to differentiate it from the science fiction - where 'hard science' or logical extension of this is the premise.

Second. Scott Card feels that he needs to criticise other works and concepts. The text here would have been successful without this, and I am not keen on knocking others work. Star Trek in particular gets a hammering!
When all said and done one of the most popular 'sci-fi' offerings of the past half century must be doing something right!

Overall worth reading, just screen the criticisms.

Very useful, but leaves a sour taste
This is an excellent reference to writing sci-fi and fantasy, with a huge amount of information and advice packed into a surprisingly concise and readable book.

It does have one problem, however. Now, I have a fairly objective approach to Star Trek; I enjoy watching it if it's on, but I usually can't be bothered. But Card seems to absolutely hate it - on the few occasions that Star Trek is even mentioned, he slathers on so much vitriol that it becomes quite distasteful to read. Even as someone with a little more than passing enjoyment of the series, I found myself putting the book down with a grimace after the raving on warp drive (which Card dismisses as "the silliest option for FTL travel").

I have yet to pick it up again.

Fantasy! What Fantasy?
I bought this book as i am currently trying to write a fantasy story and believed this book may help. It would have if my book was science fiction.

There are some good universal parts in the book, but if you are thinking of buying this book for the fantasy part, don't bother.